Apparatus for launching life-boats from decks of ships.



S. LAKE. APPARATUS FOR LAUNGHING LIFE BOATS PROM DECKS 0F SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1014.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

i SHEETS -SIIEF,T 1.

VQM .r w Q W w /J THE NORRIS PETERS CO1. PHOTO'IJTHOV. WASHINGTON. D- C S. LAKE.

APPARATUS FOR LAUNGHING LIFE BOATS FROM DECKS OF SHIPS.

APPLICATION IILEI) MAR.10,1914- 1,1 18,499. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SIIEET 2.

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S. LAKE. APPARATUS FOR LAUNGHING LIFE BOA TS PROM DEOKS 0F SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB..10, 1914- Patented Nov. 24, 191% 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

F NORRIS PETERS CO" FHOTD'LAINQ, WASHINGTON, D C

S. LAKE.

APPARATUS FOR LAUNGHING LIFE BOATS FROM DECKS OF SHIPS.

APPLICATION TILED MAR. 10,1914- Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

1 J J A. I SS NA mw m6 QM ru NURRIS PETERS cu. PNumLrrnu. WASIlINu m", n r

SIMON LAKE, OF MILFORD, CONNECTICUT.

APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING LIFE-BOATS FROM DECKS OF SHIPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24,1914.

Application filed March 10, 1914. Serial No. 823,653.

ing life-boats from decks of ships without danger of the waves dashing the boats back against the ship irrespective of the position the ship may be lying in or of the roughness of the water.

The invention consists in providing a series of frames arranged in step-like order along the side of a ship from the boat-deck to the water-line and which are adapted to be folded against the side of the ship when not in use so as to offer least resistance when the ship is under way and to prevent them being injured when the ship goes into dock,

and in the novel apparatus for stowing and for moving life-boats from their stowed positions into position to be launched.

The invention further consists in the peculiar and novel construction of life-boats for use with my launching apparatus, the construction of the boats and of the frames being such that the boats may be readily hauled upon the deck of a ship. which renders the invention practicable in rendering aid at sea without the dangers incident to the present method wherein rescuing lifeboats are compelled to approach the side of a vessel in order that the passengers may be taken aboard and which renders them liable of being injured or capsized through being dashed against the side of the ship.

The invention further consists in the peculiar and novel construction and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and then claimed.

In the drawings, illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1 is a diagrammaticside elevation of a ship having my invention installed thereon. F ig.2 is a plan view of same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a section of the boat-deck illustrating the frames in open position in full line and closed in dotted lines and showing the arrangement of transverse and longitudinal boat tracks and also the means employed for moving life-boats on said tracks, the intermediate frames being removed and the end frame moved forwardly to illustrate the mechanism for opening the frames. Fig. 4: is a side elevation of the apparatus for moving life-boats on the longitudinal tracks and which serves to lock the boat in their stowed positions. Fig. 5 is a transverse section drawn on the line a-a of Fig. l. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are vertical transverse sections drawn respectively on the lines Z)b, 00 and (Z--(Z of Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a detail horizontal sec tion drawn on the line f of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic vertical longitudinal section of the life-boat used in connection with my launching apparatus. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section drawn on the line g-g of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a transverse section drawn on a larger scale on the line /t]& of Fig. 10.

1 designates an ocean-going ship upon the sides of which are pivotally mounted series of frames 4 which are arranged. from.

the boat-deck 2 of the ship to the water line thereof providing inclined stair-ways ex tending from the boat-deck to the surface of the water. Each stair-way is constructed of seriesof frames 4, each frame com? prising an inner vertical member 5, an outer vertical member 5 and a horizontal member 6, the latter being arranged out of horizontal alinement with those of the adjacent frames providing a succession of steps designed for supporting a life-boat in passing to or from the said boat-deck. The inner vertical members 5 of the frames are journaled in bearings 7 secured in any suitable manner to the sides of the ship, and each of the horizontal members 6 is provided with rollers 8 which form roller-bearings and over which run the skegs 9 of the life-boats 10, hereinafter more fully described. The said inner members 5 of the frames are extended below the said horizontal members and are connected to the latter by braces 11, and pivoted to each horizontal member is the outer end of a link 12 each of which has its inner end slidingly connected to an anglebar 13 secured to the side of the ship, the said angle-bars having slots 13' in which operate short bolts or pins carried by the links. The links are designed to serve the double purpose of limiting the outward movement of the frames and as braces for firmly holding the frames in open position when a boat is moving over the crossbarsi Suitable locking means (not shown) may be employed for locking the links to the angle-bars when the frames are in open and closed positions. lVith the exception of the forward frame of each stair-way the outer and inner members of each frame are connected at their upper ends by cross-braces 1- which are pivoted at one end to the uprights 5 and have their outer ends formed with sockets 4 which fit over the ends of the uprights 5. By this arrangement it will be evident that in the event of the ship sinking while "a life-boat is passing over the cross-bars or horizontal members 6 and the life-boat is floated it will be permitted to freely pass through the tops of the frames, it being understood that as the ship'sinks and the life-boat is floated its deck will lift the outer ends of the said bars on their pivots and thus allowed to float clear of the ship.

The outer members 5 of the frames are connected by cables 14 and the inner members of the extreme rear frames are provided with segmental-racks the teeth of which are meshed by worms 16 carried by shafts 16 journaled in suitable bearings extending from the boat-deck 2 of the ship, the shafts being provided with handles by which they are rotated to swing the frames from their closed positions along the sides of the ship, to their open positions in which they are arranged transversely of the ship, and by connecting the frames on each side of the ship by the cables 14. it will be apparent that as the rear frames are swung outwardly all of the other frames will be simultaneously opened.

Upon the boat-deck 2, and extending transversely thereof, is a track 20 constructed of parallel channel-beams 20 and mount ed on each beam is a carriage 21 having roller-bearings 22 over-which ride the skegs 9 of the life-boats when moved onto or from a carriage. The lugs 21 forming the journals of the rollers 22 are extended above the peripheries of the rollers and provide stops to prevent lateral movement of the lifeboats on said carriages through the rolling motion of the ship, and to prevent longitudinal movement of the boats I provide the lugs with apertures to receive locking pins 21 which also pass through apertures formed in the skegs 9 of the boat. The boats may be further braced by a locking device carried by the boats proper as will be hereinafter referred to.

Each carriage is provided with journal bearings in each of which is journaled a tooth-wheel 23 having their shafts connected by a suitable flange coupling 2 and one of the wheels is formed with a worm-wheel 25 which is meshed by a worm 26 carried by a shaft 27 jeurnaled in bearings extending from the carriage, the shaft 27 having an operating handle by which it is rotated. The teeth of the wheels 23 operate in openings 29 formed in the top flanges of the channel-beams 20 so that as the wheels are rotated the teeth will operate in the openings somewhat like a rack and pinion to cause the carriages to be moved along the track. While I have shown the shafts of the wheels coupled together it will be understood that each wheel may be provided witha wornrwheel and operated independently if desired. Extensions 30 and 30 are hinged to the ends of the channel-beams 20 and to the outer ends of the forward extensions 30 are connected uprights 31 which serve as stops to limit the outward movement of the life-boats when they are moved outwardly on the track 20 into position to be sent down the stairways. The uprights 31 are connected by cables 14- with the cables H: on the respective sides of the ship whereby to cause the extensions 30 to be adjusted into longitudinal alinement with its beam 20 simultaneously with the oper ation of the frames. F or closing the frames an d the extensions, that is, for folding them against the sides of the ship, I connect each extension 30 with a cable 18 extending from a winding-drum 19 mounted on the deck 2 so that as the drums are rotated to wind 7 the cables thereon the extensions 30 and likewise the frames, will be drawn inwardly to lie against the sides of the ship. As will be more fuily understood from the general description of the operation of the invention, the extensions are designed to support the entire weight of the life-boats and their crew and passengers when moved outwardly on the track, and to strengthen them 1 provide each with a brace 32 each of which is" hinged at its lower end to one of the stanchions 33 of the ship supporting the outer longitudinal edges of the boat-deck.

Arranged longitudinally on the boat-deck 2, aft of the transverse track 20, are series of tracks 3% upon which life-boats are stowed. The rails of the tracks 34 are each constructed of parallel channel-beams 36 which are spaced slightly apart with the flanges thereof extended outwardly and journaled between the webs of the beams are rollers 37 providing supports for the slregs 9 of the life-boats and over which the skegs run when a boat is moved along the track. As shown the rollers 37 are journaled below the tops of thebeams 36 so that the lower edges of the sltegs 9 of the boats will lie in the channels formed by the said beams to thus prevent lateral movement of the boats stowed on the tracks, and in order to hold the boats against longitudinal. movement and to move them along the tracks I arrange a moving apparatus 35 on each track which serves the double purpose of locking the boats in posi- 38, preferably of plate metal, having its longitudinal edges bent downwardly and inwardly to provide channels which fit over the top flanges of the beams 36, and extending upwardly from the base member are parallel side members 39 which are extended beyond the forward end of the base providing ears betweenwhich the after end of one of the skegs 9 of a life boat is held, the ears being provided with apertures to receive a locking pin 40 which also passes through an aperture formed in the said skeg. Rearwardly of the pin 10 the ears are connected by a fixed pin 41 of larger diameter than the pin 40 and which is designed to rest against the rear edge of the skeg 9. By thus connecting the life-boats to the combined moving and locking apparatus it will be understood that in the event of the ships sinking beforethe life-boats can be launched or before they can be uncoupled from the holding apparatus on the storage tracks, and as the boat-deck sinks below the surface of the water and the water surrounds the lower sides of the hull of the life-boats, the latterwill be floated at their forward ends to thus cause the rear ends of the skegs to bear down on the pins 4-1 with the pins 40 acting as fulcrums and as the pins 40 are of smaller diameter and consequently weaker than the pins ll, they will be severed and the life-boats time left free to be floated on the surface of the water. understood that owing to the large amount of buoyancy of the life-boats a great leverage is obtained so that the pins 4L0 will be readily sheared by the skegs.

Each locking and moving apparatus 35 has a shaft 42 journaled in the side members thereof and each shaft carries a tooth-wheel 4-3, the teeth ll of which operate in apertures formed in one of the top flanges of the track beams 36 in a similar manner as that described with reference to the carriages 21, and each wheel 43 is formed with a worm-wheel l6 which is meshed by a worm 47 carried by a shaft 48 journaled in brackets extending from each carriage. Handles 49 are carried by the shafts by which they are operated. It will thus be seen that the moving apparatus also serves the purpose of locking the life-boats in position on the storage tracks and by rotating the shafts 48 the wheels 43 are rotated to push the carriages and the life-boats along the tracks. The forward ends of the track beams 36 are cut away so that the peripheries of the rollers 37 will extend above the tops of the webs of the beams whereby to permit the skegs of the boats to slip fromthe rollers when the boats are moved laterally on the deck on the carriages 21.

In connectlon with my improved stair- It will be further ways I purpose using a special construction of life-boats which are built somewhat after the design of submarine boats in that they are capable of being rendered air and water-tight to thus prevent them from capsizing or flooding and sinking when launched or operated in rough weather. I make no claim in this application to the special features of construction of the boat and desire it understood that I reserve the right to embody the construction thereof in a separate application should I so desire.

As shown in Figs. 10, 1.1 and 152, are constructed of intermediate cylindrical sections 50 having substantially flat decks 51, and tapering bow and stern scctions'52, the whole being constructed of ribs or frames 53 and a covering of shell plating 54. Built within the cylindrical section of the hull is an inner hull section 55 constructed of flat plates which are connected together at their longitudinal edges to form a centralraised section 56 and raised side sections 57 which extend throughout the full length of said cylindrical section of the main or outer hull and provide seats for the occupants of the boat. The outer longitudinal edges of the tops of the side sections 57 are connected by vertical plates 57 which form backs for the side seats and the upper edges of the plates 57 are connected by horizontal plates which are also connected to the plating 5st of the outer hull. All of the plates are connected together andtothe hull plating by airand watertight joints and the space thus formed below the inner hull is divided by transverse partitions 55) into seriesof tanks 60 which will be utilized as ballasttanks, and for the storage of fresh water, food, fuel and the like. The ends of the inner hull are closed by transverse partitions (30. Bulk-heads 60 are arranged in the extreme ends of the main hull providing forward and aft storage tank (31 and connected to the inner faces of the bulkheads 60 and to the upper edges of the partitions 60 are horizontal partitions 62 providing lower closed storage compartments or tanks 63 and upper compartments 64L- which communicate with the interior of the main hull and are designed to be utilized as sleeping quarters, mattresses being laid on top of the partitions (32 as shown. 56' designates short longitudinal partitions extending upwardly from the center of the central raised section 56 providing backs for the seats of the said section.

The central section :36 is formed with a well providing an engine space 65 in which is located an internal combustion engine 66 to the shaft of which is connected the inner end of a propellenshaft (37 having a propeller wheel 67 at its outer end.

69 desi nates a conning-tower extending from the deck 51 thesicles of which are prothe boats l vided with lookouts 69, and in its top is arranged a hatch-way which is controlled by a cover 70. A hatch-way, controlled by a cover 70, is also formed in the declr of the boat aft of the conning-tower.

71 designates an air-funnel opening into the boat, the opening being controlled by a suitable valve (not shown) to prevent ingress of water when the boat is submerged or when operating in extremely rough weather. Upon the deck 51 forward and aft of the conning-tower is a socket 68 each straddle lugs 73' formed on the carriages of the athwartship track and suitable lugs extending from the boat-deck between the longitudinal tracks. The upper ends of the bars 73 are formed with rack-teeth Tat which are meshed by pinions 75 journaled in the housings the shafts of which extend through the said housings and are provided with operating handles 7 6.

In practice the occupants of the boat sit along the central and side sections 56 and 57, respectively, facing each other, and in order to provide means to enable them to retain their seats when 'the boats shoot down the stair-ways, I arrange ropes 99 between each seating space which extend from the top of the seats to the top of the hull and which the occupants catch hold of to brace themselves in position.

It will thus be seen that a life-boat built according to the foregoing specifications may be constructed of light-weight mate rial and at the same time possess great longitudinal strength since the heels 9, the vertical plates of the raised section of the inner hull and the backs of the side seats form longitudinal girders which provide sufficient longitudinal strength of construction to support the weight of material and the occupants of the boat upon one point, that is when balanced on. one of the horizontal members of the frames 5 or on the extensions of the athwartship track.

The operation of the invention is as fol lows: In launching a boat the frames -l of the stair-ways are first adjusted to their open positions, that is, to be arranged transversely of the ship which operation alsoadjusts the extensions 30 into longitudinal alinement with the forward rails of the athwartship track as previously described. The extensions are then opened by hand after which the outside boats on the athwartship track are moved outwardly on the track on their carriage until the slregs '9 of the boats are brought into alinement with the rollers 8 of the horizontal members 6 of the frames During this operation the after ends of the boats are connected by cables 98 extending from suitable derriclrs 98 located on the boat-deck 2 aft of the athwartship tra ck, then when strain is taken on the cables the boats are slightly elevated, so that, when the shafts of the wheels 23 are uncoupled the carriage on the after rail of the track may be run back to permit the extension 30' to be folded back against the side of the ship. The cables 98 are then slackened to gradually lower the after ends of the boats so that their skegs will rest on the rollers 8 of the forward frames, and which it will be understood, support the boats in an inclined position and resting on the extensions 30 of the track 20 and on one frame t of the stair ways. The cables are then detached from the boats but the latter will be prevented from passing down through-the frames by the locking-bars 78, then when all is ready the locking-bars are elevated to thus free the boats which will immediately. shoot over the rollers, and gaining momentum as they pass over the rollers of the horizontal members of the frames, will attain suthcient ve locity to be carried from the ship and out of danger of being thrown back against the side thereof and injuredor smashed. It may be stated here, that in rough weather, and in the presence of heavy seas, the boats are not released from the carriages until the crest of a wave nearly reaches the rear frames 4 so that when the boats strike the water they will be launched on the crest of the wave and ride down the inclined surface thereof and thus be carried well clear of the ship. It may also be stated that prior to the release of the boats the engines are started so that the moment the boats strike the water the propellers will act to carry them away from the ship.

it will thus be seen that I provide an eX- ceedingly simple and efficient apparatus for the purpose stated and one which requires but little time to effect the launching of one or more boats. In the event, however, of a ship being in imminent danger of sinking which would render impossible the launch ing of the beats, the passengers and crew board. the life boats and close the hatches and ventilator openings so that as the ship sinks and the water reaches the life-boats they will be automatically freed from their locking apparatus and floated on the surface,

and even though they may be drawn down below the surface of the water and completely submerged through the influence of the suction caused by the sinking ship, they Wlll, owing to their buoyancy, immediately rise to and float upon the surface.

Ships equipped With my invention will be found particularly advantageous insending life'boats tothe aid of other vessels, and in order to haul the boats back aboard ship I mount Winches 100 upon the boat-deck forward ofthe athwartship track and which carry cables or lines 101 to the free ends of which are connected funnel-shaped buoys 102 which serve the double purpose of enabling the occupants of the boat to recover the end of the line when the latter is thrown overboard, and of providing guides for the nose of the boats Whenbeing hauled over the horizontal members 6of the frames 4. In practice the Winches will be of the rapidlyrevolving type and when a boat is to be hauled aboard ship the oflicer in charge Waits until the crest of a Wave is about to reach the stern of the ship so that by the time the Wave submerges the horizontal member of the after frame the boat Will be raised thereon and in position to be drawn over the said horizontal member and onto the horizontal members of the adjacent frames.

lVhat I claim is 1. Apparatus for launching life-boats from ships, comprising a series of frames pivotally mounted on the side of the sh1p,

each frame having a horizontal boat supporting member, said members being arranged out ofhor1zontal al1nement, and

rollers carried by said horizontal members.

2. Apparatus for launching life-boats from ships, comprisinga serles of frames journaled on the side of the ship in steplike order, a horizontal boat supporting member earned by each frame, and rollers mounted on said horizontal members.

3. Apparatus for launchlng llfe-boats from sh1ps,compr1s1ng a serlesof frames journaled on the side of theship in step-\ like order and extending from the boat-deck of the ship to'the Water-line, horizontal boat-supporting members carried by said frames, rollers mounted on said horizontal members, and independent means for swing ing said frames on their journals, for the purpose specified.

l. Apparatus for launching life-boats from ships, comprising a seriesof frames journaled on the sides of the ship in steplike order and extending from the boat-deck thereof to the Water-line, rollers mounted on said horizontal members, transversely and longitudinally arranged tracks mounted on the boat-deck, and Independent means operable on said tracks for moving a lifea boat thereover, for the purpose specified.

5. Apparatus for launching llfe-boats from ships, comprising a serles of frames journaled on the side of the ship in step like order and "extending from the boat-deck thereof to the water-line, horizontal boatsupporting members carried by the frames, rollers mountedon said horizontal members, a transversely arranged life-boat track arranged on the boat-deck, a boat carriage op erable on said track, and extensions pivoted to the endsof said track adapted to be extended over the side of the ship,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. Apparatus for launching life-boats from ships, comprising a series of frames journaled on the side of the ship in steplike order and extending from the boat deck of the ship to the water-line, each frame having a horizontal boat supporting member provided with rollers, a transversely arranged track mounted on said boat-deck, longitudinally arranged tracks mounted on said deck, folding extensions ar -anged at the end of said transversetrack, and independent means operable on said tracks for moving life-boats thereon. i 7. The combination with a ship, of a series of frames journaled on the side thereof in step-like order and adapted to be folded against the side of the ship, horizontal boat supporting members carried by the frames, rollers mounted on said horizontal members, a lifeboat having longitudinal parallel skegs adapted to engage said rollers, when passingover said horizontal members, and means for moving a life-boat into position to be launched.

8. The combination With a ship, of a series of :ames journaled on the side thereof in step-like order and extendingfrom thei boat-deck ofthe ship to the Waterline, a horizontal boat-supporting member carried by each frame and having rollers mounted thereon, a transversely arranged track mounted on said boat-deck, forming extensions secured a, to the ends of the rails of saidtrack and adapted to be extended transversely of the ship, a boat-carriage operable on said track, and a life-boat adapted to be rendered airand Water-tight carried by said carriage, said boatlhaving longitudinal parallel skegs adapted to engage the rollers of said horizontal members of the frames when passing over said members.

9. The combination with a ship, of a series of frames journaled on the side thereof from the boat-deck of the ship to the Waterline, horizontal boat supporting members carried by said frames and having rollers mounted thereon, a transversely arranged track mounted 011 said boat-deck, a boat carriage operable on said track, longitudinally arranged tracks mounted on said deck, lifeboats having parallel longitudinal skegs ari are ranged on said carriage and on said longitufor moving the said boats along the tracks, as specified.

10. The combination with a ship, of a series of frames mounted on the side thereof each adapted to be adjusted from a position lying against the side of the ship to a position transversely thereof, a horizontal boatsupporting member carried by each frame and having rollers mounted thereon, means for effecting said adjustment, a transversely arranged track having folding extensions at its end mounted on said boat-deck, a boat carriage operable onsaid track, a life-boat having longitudinal parallel skegs mounted on said carriage, means for holding a boat in position on said carriage, and means for moving the carriage on said track to adjust the skegs of the boat thereon into longitudinal alinement with the rollers of said horizontal members of the frame.

11. The combination with a ship, of a series of frames mounted on the side thereof from the boat-deck of the ship to the waterline, each frame being mounted to swing from a position lying against the side of the ship to aposition transversely thereof, means for effecting such adjustment, a horizontal boat-supporting member carried by each frame and having rollers mounted thereon, a transversely arranged track mounted on said boat-deck, a life-boat carriage operable on said track, longitudinally arranged storagetracks mounted on the said deck, means for moving a life-boat on said longitudinal tracks, said means also serving to look a lifeboat in position thereon, and means for hauling a life-boat from the water over said horizontal boat-supporting members to the top of said boat-deck.

12. The combination with a ship, of a series of frames mounted on the side thereof,

each frame being mounted to swing outwardly'from a position lying against the side of the ship to a position transversely thereof, a horizontal boat-supporting member carried by each frame, each of said members being arranged out of horizontal alinement with the members of the adjacent frames providing a stair-way on the side of the ship, a transversely arranged track Gopiea at this patent may be obtained for mounted on the boat-deck of the ship, and a boat-carriage thereon, longitudinally arranged storage tracks mounted on said boatdeck, and a combined lockingand moving apparatus operable on each of said storage tracks for looking a life-boat thereon and for moving a boat along said tracks, as specified.

13. The combination with a ship, of a series of frames j ournaled on the side thereof in step-like order, a horizontal boat-supporting member carried by each frame, rollers mounted on said horizontal members, a lifeboat having longitudinal parallel skegs adapted to engage said rollers when passing over said horizontal members, a transversely arranged track mounted on the boat-deck of the ship and having folding extensions connected to the ends thereof, for the purpose specified, a boat moving carriage operable on said track, longitudinally arranged boatstorage tracks mounted on said boat-deck, and an apparatus for moving a life boat on each storage track, said apparatus also serving to look a boat against longitudinal movement on the tracks and comprising a carriage having perforated ears designed to straddle one of the skegs of said boats, a pin passing through said ears and through an aperture in said skeg, and a pin to engage the edge of said skeg.

14. The combinatlon w1th a ship, of see ries of frames mounted on the side of the ship providing a stair-way from the boatdeck of the ship to the water-line, each frame having a horizontal life-boat supporting member provided with rollers, a lifeboat provided with parallel longitudinal skegs which are adapted to operate on said rollers when passing along said stair-way, and means arranged on said boat deck for moving a life-boat into launching position at the top of said stairway.

In testimony whereofl have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of March, A. D. 191%.

SIMON LAKE.

Witnesses:

JAMES A. PEASE, ROBERT A. BEEIS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of. Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

